MILSTORY.COM
|
A Charlie Foxtrot for Delta Sierra |
|
Anonymous |
|
“Yes. And it ain’t gonna be pretty.” LTC Sean Morrison, veteran of Grenada, Beirut, Panama and other assorted hotspots, took CPT John Manheim’s hand in a firm grip and slowly shook it once again, “Good luck and take care of your men.” Manheim watched numbly as Morrison moved out to his assigned post. This was not going to be a rescue or liberation mission. “SGT Irby! Get me Staff Sergeant Wilson, now! We don’t have much time!” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A half a world away Soviet made T-64, T-72 tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers were rolling over the token resistance of an untrained, undisciplined rabble of what was once the Kuwaiti National Guard. The mechanized juggernaught of the 5th largest army in the world smashed into the palaces of the oil rich country of Kuwait. Saddam Hussein, “President” of Iraq, was executing the first phase of his plan to reestablish a modern day Sumerian/Babylonian Empire, with himself as the reincarnated Emperor Nebuchadnezzar. He believed he had placed himself in the best possible position to “reclaim the outlaw 19th province of Iraq” both militarily and diplomatically, so he struck hard and swift. The western world awoke on August 2, 1990 to find the world’s richest oilfields threatened by Hussein’s forces. There was only one option open to the United States, call on the 82d Airborne Division, America’s Guard of Honor! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Only the 82d, crown jewel of the XVIII Airborne Corps, could deploy enough serious combat power on such short notice. This was the type of mission the Division was formed to execute. However, this particular mission was coming on the heels of 3 contingency operations conducted in Panama over the previous 12 months: Nimrod Dancer, Just Cause and Kindle Liberty. Contingency stocks of every type of supply were expended to execute these 3 operations so that when CPT John Manheim led his company through the EISP (pronounced “EESIP” for Equipment Issue Supply Point) line… “What the fuck is this?” demanded PFC Phil James. “It’s ammo, you idiot!” came the droll reply of the weary Corps supply puke. “Yeah, but it’s .38 caliber!” shouted James. “So!” was the response. “So…! I’m a SAW gunner you dumb ass! I need linked 5.56!” demanded James. “Don’t have any." |
© Milstory Media Group, LLC